Final answer:
To communicate with a patient with drastic hearing loss, writing with paper and pen is generally effective, while speaking slowly and clearly may help if the patient can read lips. Using a TDD/TYY phone is less practical in an emergency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The easiest way for an EMT to communicate with a patient with drastic hearing loss would likely be to use a combination of methods tailored to the patient’s needs and the situation at hand. Writing questions using paper and pen can be very effective as this does not rely on the patient’s ability to hear and is a clear and direct form of communication. In cases where writing is not possible, the EMT may speak slowly and clearly, to facilitate lip-reading, assuming the patient has that skill. It should be noted that simply speaking loudly, especially directly into the ear, might not be effective and could be uncomfortable for the patient. While a TDD/TYY telephone could be useful in a stationary setting, it is likely impractical in many emergency situations where EMTs operate.